Help us raise awareness on social media. See the next page for a sample list of tweets and facebook posts that you can share with your networks.

Transcription

1 Meaningful ways that you can make a difference right now! Here are four key actions you can take today to make a difference Donate to WUSC s Student Refugee Program at: Fundraise for the Student Refugee Program. Turn this weekend into a moment to make a positive contribution. If your local university, college or cegep already supports the Student Refugee Program, consider contacting the Local Committee on campus to find out how you can get involved with their local efforts. For a list of our current university, college and cegep partners visit the following link: Talk to your local university, college or cegep about partnering with WUSC and the Student Refugee Program, or visit: Get involved on social media: Help us raise awareness on social media. See the next page for a sample list of tweets and facebook posts that you can share with your networks. Sign up to take part in the Ride for Refuge 2015 This October 3rd 2015, join WUSC members, alumni and supporters across Canada and pledge to walk 5km, or to cycle 10, 25 or 50km in support of the Student Refugee Program, the only youth-to-youth sponsorship program in the world that combines refugee resettlement with postsecondary education. Fundraising Ideas Yard sale Community BBQ Wine and cheese party Workplace fundraiser (coffee money collection, pledge-a-thon, potluck lunch, coin drive, film night, etc) Car wash

2 Social Media suggested content Below are some suggested social media content to share with your networks. TWITTER We can help #SyrianRefugees find hope through education. Join me in supporting the #StudentRefugeeProgram today! The #StudentRefugeeProgram supports sustainable, lasting impacts. We can help more #SyrianRefugees together. I donated to the #StudentRefugeeProgram because I know the #SRPChangesLives. Help #SyrianRefugees today: Facebook You can provide Syrian refugees with hope. For over 35 years, the Student Refugee Program has been providing refugees with the rare opportunity to resettle in Canada and continue their education at Canadian universities, colleges and cegeps across the country. I donated because [insert personal message]. Join me and donate today. With the number of Syrian refugees estimated to reach 4.27 million by the end of the year, we must come together to provide greater support. The Student Refugee Program provides hope through higher education and empowers young refugees to create a brighter future in Canada. Donate today and share this message. 97% of students who resettle in Canada through WUSC s Student Refugee Program successfully complete their studies and 85% find employment in their field. Just one of many reasons why I donated to WUSC and why you should too. Share this image on social media, download it at:

3 WUSC calls on Canadian universities, colleges and cegeps to increase support to Syrian refugees through the Student Refugee Program. OTTAWA, September 9, World University Service of Canada (WUSC) has called upon the presidents and leaders of post-secondary education institutions across the country to increase their support to Syrian refugees through the Student Refugee Program. Already active on over 65 campuses, WUSC s Student Refugee Program empowers students, faculty and staff to sponsor young refugees to resettle in Canada and continue their education. WUSC has played a leadership role in bringing refugees to Canada and supporting them in receiving a highquality university education. These students become empowered to contribute to their home country and our own," says David Turpin, Chair of WUSC and President of the University of Alberta. "We invite all universities, colleges and cegeps to join us in our outreach." Former students of the program have gone on to work for government and the United Nations. Human Rights Lawyer for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Alfred Orono Orono, earned his Bachelor s Degree at the University of Alberta through the Student Refugee Program. Founded by WUSC in 1978, the program has sponsored over 1,500 refugees from 37 countries. Uniquely Canadian, it is the only program of its kind to combine resettlement with opportunities for higher education. This August, WUSC welcomed eight young Syrian refugees - as part of a much larger cohort of refugees students - to study on campuses across Canada. These include the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, Carleton University, the University of Winnipeg, the University of King s College and Dalhousie University. But more could be done. We challenge academic institutions to help continue Canada s proud history of responding to the needs of refugees during times of crisis, announced Chris Eaton, Executive Director of World University Service of Canada. We ask them to join our efforts in expanding the reach of our internationally-recognized Student Refugee Program to support more youth to realize their full potential. Many leaders of Canadian post-secondary education institutions have already contacted WUSC to learn how they can increase their support to Syrian refugees and others impacted by the global refugee crisis. WUSC seeks to work with these institutions to increase the funding and support for this program so that they can welcome more students to Canada. ### About WUSC: World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a non-profit organization working in international development. Through a unique network of academic institutions, private sector partners and volunteers, WUSC provides opportunities for education, employment and empowerment to disadvantaged youth around the world. The Student Refugee Program depends on the partnership of Canadian post-secondary education institutions, hundreds of student volunteers and on individual donors to keep the program operational. To find out more, please visit For more information, please contact: Stephanie Needham, Senior Communications Officer, WUSC sneedham@wusc.ca x3714

4 STUDENT REFUGEE PROGRAM wusc.ca/en/srp In refugee camps, opportunities for higher education remain limited, and many bright and talented young students are unable to achieve their academic and professional goals. Since 1978, WUSC s youth-to-youth sponsorship arrangement, the Student Refugee Program (SRP) is the only long-term program of its kind worldwide. The SRP places refugee students with Canadian student groups on campuses who give financial and day-to-day support to help students integrate to their new life and their studies at universities and colleges across Canada. In addition to benefiting the individuals who come to Canada, the SRP is a tool for Canadians to deepen their understanding of forced migration, development challenges, and the connection between global and local issues. STUDENT REFUGEE PROGRAM Every year, WUSC staff travel to refugee camps in Kenya, Malawi, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia to select promising young candidates that will benefit from the Student Refugee Program. Refugee students come from a wide variety of countries such as Burundi, Burma, DRC, Ethiopia, Iraq, Rwanda, Somalia, Syria and South Sudan. Each refugee student is sponsored by a WUSC Local Committee on campus, which consists of students, staff and faculty. These volunteer groups raise the necessary funds to support the student for his or her first year in Canada by negotiating with their college or university administrations to waive tuition, residence fees, meal plans or by soliciting donations for other necessary items. Local Committees also act as a social network for students and help them adapt to their new community and campus environment. The SRP is the only one of its kind in the world, and that allows refugee students to pursue their education in a safe and peaceful environment. At the same time, it enables Canadian students, faculty and the broader public to learn first-hand about newcomer integration, fostering greater cross-cultural understanding. Many WUSC Local Committees organize campaigns and public events to raise awareness on refugee and international development issues among wider campus and community audiences. HOW THE SRP WORKS Throughout each sponsorship, SRP staff and volunteers are responsible for: 1. Selecting refugee students, which takes place in refugee camps or urban refugee centers in Malawi, Kenya, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Selection is based on personal aptitudes and academic merit 2. Negotiating with Canadian universities and colleges for the enrolment, placement and tuition of sponsored students 3. Ensuring that sponsored students are academically prepared for study in Canada, including through English language testing 4. Arranging for one year of accommodation for sponsored students

5 Our Results 70+ sponsored students enter Canada each year to pursue their education at Canadian universities and colleges. STUDENT REFUGEE PROGRAM wusc.ca/en/srp 5. Working with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and other partners to check the exit and entry requirements for sponsored students and to make sure that the sponsored students meet the admissibility criteria set by Citizenship and Immigration Canada 6. Providing comprehensive pre-departure orientation for sponsored students 7. Providing support, guidance, and training to Local Committees who work with the sponsored students 8. Welcoming refugee students to their new adventure in Canada! 1,400+ post-secondary students have been sponsored via the Student Refugee Program since %* of SRP students successfully complete their studies and 85% find employment in their field. * (as per impact study) THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS Our SRP donors include the hard-working Local Committees across Canada, many individual donors, and the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, as well as many others who provide essential in-kind support around the world. WUSC World University Service of Canada is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, employment and empowerment opportunities to disadvantaged youth around the world. WUSC s approach is informed by decades of experience linking our network of over 80 universities and colleges in Canada to civil society and public and private sector partners to facilitate the exchange of skills and knowledge. WUSC works towards a world in which all young people can grow up in safe, secure and supportive environments; have access to high quality education opportunities from early childhood to adulthood; are able to secure fair, decent and fulfilling employment; and can actively participate in all aspects of their society s development. WORLD UNIVERSITY SERVICE OF CANADA 1404 Scott Ottawa, ON Canada K1Y 4M8 CONNECT WITH WUSC wusc.ca Charitable Registration Number: RR0001 April 2014

6 Recent media coverage of the Student Refugee Program Sponsorship Rules CBC News Ottawa at 6, September 4, Ryerson leading Canadian universities efforts to aid Syrian refugees The Globe and Mail, September 10, 2015 U of R boosting support for refugee students CBC Saskatchewan, September 11, 2015 Programme d entraide universitaire mondiale (6h31) (available in French only) Radio Canada Manitoba, September 14, Syrian wants more programs to help refugees come to Canada CBC Manitoba, September 15,

7 Useful Online Resources Syrian Refugee Response Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada Read Canada s response to the situation in Syria. World University Service of Canada Check out the Programs tab to learn more about the Student Refugee Program and visit for the WUSC Local Committee members listing to get involved and help sponsor a student.. Lifeline Syria Check out the issues tab for facts and stats and an overview of the crisis. UNHCR Check out the resources tab for up-to-date statistics, maps and publications. Also check out their country page for Syria UNHCR Canada Check out the newsroom for news stories related to Canada and the Syrian refugee crisis. Canadian Government Sponsor a Refugee Program Learn more about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, where you or your group can sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come to Canada. As a sponsor, you provide financial and emotional support for the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship.

8 help Syrian Refugees Fundraiser to benefit WUSC s Student Refugee Program (SRP) Since 1978, WUSC has sponsored over 1,500 refugees through the SRP to resettle in Canada and continue their post-secondary studies on campuses across the country. But more can be done, and you can help. Visit our website or follow us on social media for more information about the program. Donations to the SRP can be made online at by mail or in person. facebook.com/wusc.ca twitter.com/worlduniservice SRPChangesLives Please see the office representative listed below for more information. Tax receipts will be issued for your donation ($3 minimum for online donations, $20 minimum for donations made by cheque).

9 Donation Tracking Form Name/Organization Date(s) Campaign(s) Donor Name Address City Province Postal Code Phone Number Amount Please track all cash donations made to your fundraiser on this form. All donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt in the name of the donor, using the information provided. Please do not send cash directly to WUSC. Please mail in a cheque for the total amount, along with this donation tracking form.